• Find out about Sharon Trotter

• Find out about Sharon's book Breastfeeding: the essential guide

• Find out more about Sharon's company: TIPS Limited

• Find out more about Sharon's work on neonatal skin care and cord care
  

All about Sharon Trotter....

Sharon Trotter RM BSc (Adv Studies in Midwifery), Independent Parenting Consultant

Sharon Trotter is a midwife and independent Parenting Consultant with special interests in breastfeeding and baby skincare. Sharon works independently to advise and promote best practice in these areas and has done for over 30 years. Following publication of her articles in various peer-reviewed journals, Sharon implemented a new policy for baby skincare within her local NHS organisation in 2004. Maternity units all over the UK and beyond are updating their policies in line with this simplified approach, now backed up by the Postnatal Care Guidelines (July 2006) published by NICE, where Sharon is a stakeholder National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE).

She is also author of the bestselling book, Breastfeeding: the essential guide.

In 2007 Sharon launched the unique TIPS Award Scheme, using parent testers who take part on a strictly volunteer basis, to provide parents with the most respected and impartial testing programme in the baby and toddler market sector.

I set up this website in October 2002 so that my peer reviewed articles would be accessible to health professionals.

I would like thank all the people who have contacted me since this web site began in October 2002. I now get emails from all over the world.

If you have any comments or suggestions about breastfeeding, skincare or this web site, feel free to email me.
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All about Sharon Trotter's book ....

Breastfeeding: the essential guide - ISBN 0954838106

Breastfeeding: the essential guide was published in 2004 by my own company ‘Trotters Independent Publishing Services’. The story of my road to publication was featured in the MIDIRS Digest in December 2004.

Since first becoming available from Amazon.co.uk in November 2004, it has consistently featured in the top ten breastfeeding books from over 900 similar titles! Following an excellent review in the internationally respected ‘Journal of Human Lactation’ it is now available from the American giant www.barnesandnoble.com.

Thank you to all my customers (old and new) I hope you are finding the advice useful.

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All about Sharon's company: TIPS Ltd...

Newsletter 45... Summer 2019...15 years of TIPS

Na 15 jaar is het voorbij. Bedankt en tot ziens...

You might remember me telling you about the language app Duolingo in newsletter 43, which I have been using for almost a year now. My Dutch is improving so I thought I would use it to sign off from our last newsletter. In case you don't understand Dutch, here’s the translation:

After 15 years it’s thank you and goodbye...

I can hardly believe that TIPS is now 15 years old! So many of our loyal Parent Testers (there have been over 1000 of you over the years) have been with us since the start. TIPS babies have become teenagers and some of you have welcomed many new babies over the years. It has been a pleasure to get to know you all and to be able to share a wide variety of tips and advice when you needed it most. It is therefore with a heavy heart that I have decided to wind up TIPS Ltd as a business over the next few months. Our website (http://tipslimited.co.uk/) will however remain live for the foreseeable future so that you can still access our evidence-based information, factsheets, Award reviews, FAQs and e-newsletters. We will of course erase all personal data about TIPS Parent Testers and TIPS members we currently have on our systems. However, you will still be able to contact me via our TIPSLtd facebook page or by email, if you would like me to help with any parenting issue you may have, especially if you need breastfeeding support. This has always been my greatest passion and I am so thrilled to have been able to guide so many new parents through the minefield of the first few weeks and months of establishing this sometimes tricky skill.

As you know my husband and I have two adorable grandchildren and we want to have the time to carry out our granny and granddad duties - this has become harder to fit in, while also running TIPS. You will also know that I cannot do anything in half measures so the time has come to move away from my TIPS desk and explore new horizons, whatever they may be...

Although this newsletter is more compact than usual, it is still packed full of great features and a few lovely giveaways for you to win...

Our final featured products are Green People (win 1 of 2 Organic Children Sun Lotion worth £38), Weleda Baby Calendula oil, which is celebrating its 60th Anniversary! (win 1 of 6 gift sets worth £120), Neuners teas4mum (win 1 of 2 gift sets worth £20) and a 3 months' supply of Jackson Reece Baby Wipes (worth £25), the most eco-friendly baby wipes available.

We also introduce you to the new eco-friendly, plant-based household cleaning brand: Nimble. Enter our mini-competition for a chance to win 1 of 2 Nimble Household Cleaning Gift Sets (worth £8.99 each) so you can try it out for yourself. Our featured DVD is the long awaited release of the film Tigers, which we have featured a few times. You also have the chance to win my personal copy, in our mini-competition.

We are delighted to promote a new website called The Breastfeeding Companion. This is the brainchild of Jackie Hal, an IBCLC and Infant feeding co-ordinator for Trafford NHS. Her aim is to provide free unbiased advice on breastfeeding issues and includes videos of Jackie addressing the issues that SO many breastfeeding mums have.

Our Top Treat is a wonderful idea by florist Freddie Garland (yes that really is his name!). He founded Freddie'sFlowers, a flower delivery that cuts out the middle man so you get top quality blooms that last much longer and no plastic wrapping! You can get yourself a free bouquet using my discount code and I promise you won't be disappointed.

Our Top Value product is the eco-friendly and totally natural latex TIPS ducky featured on our website. You can enter our mini-competition to win 1 of 10 ducks (worth £60).

As well as our regular mix of features, our latest My Story follows a mum who had a less than straightforward journey to breastfeeding including many sleepless nights and colic that refused to settle down.

We are delighted to showcase a wonderful selection of TIPS Testers' Pix for you to enjoy, including an amazing new 4D scan photo of twins age 26 weeks and a selection of my very favourite Testers pix over the past 15 years... Check out our final selection to see if one of your photos is featured :-)

Last but not least I would like to take this opportunity to say a HUGE thank you to all the companies we have featured including those who have offered us so many wonderful prizes, which you have had the chance to win over the years.

Speaking of prizes, we have some wonderful competitions for you to enter. Altogether our prizes are worth over £350 so email your entries to competitions@tipslimited.com and you too could be a TIPS winner!

Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

Goodbye and thank you from Sharon, Brigitte and Michael

xxx

You can read e-newsletter 45 here....

Newsletter 44 - December 2018
Brexit Brexit Brexit...are you fed up with the uncertainty too?

I try to avoid being political and whatever side of the Brexit debate you are on, I respect your opinions. But the inevitable and prolonged uncertainty is becoming more and more frustrating...

No matter what news programme you watch or what newspaper or magazine you read it is almost impossible to avoid discussions and debates about the potential ramifications of a Brexit, deal or no-deal. Let's hope the powers that be will find the grace to stop arguing and pass this momentous decision back to the people. Only then can we make absolutely sure the UK can concentrate on the important issues that have, for too long, been sidelined.

Whatever happens with Brexit, we will deal with it and I sincerely hope our relations with Europe can continue to be close because we all need to work together for the sake of our children and our grandchildren. OK end of political rant!

Back to more exciting matters: we have a fun packed e-newsletter with lots of lovely giveaways for you all to win...

I continue to enjoy using my DUOLINGO App (featured last time) and I'm on a 150+ day streak! The last time I visited my daughter in the Netherlands, I definitely found it easier to understand signs and menus although I cannot say I am anywhere near fluent. At least I can say: Ik spreekt een beetje nederlands en ik wil oefenen which means: I speak a little Dutch and I want to practice!

Our latest featured App: Musical Hands is an award-winning musical app for babies and toddlers. It’s really simple to use and great fun for little ones, like my grandson Odin (featured in our Testers pix).

Our featured Video clip is a Carpool Karaoke that also promotes the wonderful work of our featured Charity: Stand Up To Cancer. This inspiring campaign is Cancer Research UK’s and Channel 4’s annual fundraising event bringing the UK together and helping speed up progress in life-saving cancer research. James Corden and Michael Bublé carpool through Los Angeles singing Michael's new music and his classic songs. They also have an emotional conversation about the devastation of a cancer diagnosis, and how we can help find a cure by donating to this charity.

Our featured film is Tigers: the long awaited release (November 2018) of a film by Oscar-winning director Danis Tanovic, based on the true story of a former Nestlé baby milk salesman in Pakistan called Syed Aamir Raza (played in the film by Emraan Hashmi). He takes on the industry with the help of IBFAN (the International Baby Food Action Network) when he realises that babies are dying as a result of his work pressuring doctors to promote formula. I heard about this film back in 2014 when it started its limited release around film festivals but I am glad to see this film will soon be more widely available around the world. This story needs to be told and, as a long term supporter of the non-profit organisation Baby Milk Action, I am pleased to see they are continuing to promote this film in any way they can.

Our first featured book: What's Right For Me -Making Decisions In Pregnancy and Childbirth is by our friend and midwifery guru Dr Sara Wickham. As soon as I heard about this book I knew that our loyal Parent Tester (and author of our very popular series 'Diary of a student midwife') would love to review this and I was right!

Our second featured book: Cookies is from the publisher Phaidon. Cookies is an Interactive Recipe Book and is fourth in a series of engaging, interactive cookbooks that invite readers to cook using tabs, flaps, wheels and more included in the book! You can also win one of three copies in our mini-competition.

Our featured products include a Silent Night and Fruity Favourites gift sets by Green People (win one of each), Weleda Gardeners Favourites gift set (see also our Top treat featuring Emma Britton who designed the Weleda 2018 Gifted by Nature Collection gift range) and a three months supply of Jackson Reece Baby Wipes, the most eco-friendly baby wipes available.

We have a new Brand to promote called Little Freddie (Brigitte loves this one as her grandson shares the same name!). Little Freddie was born when founders husband and wife team Piers and Taslim started their family. That’s when they discovered the baby food on offer at the time fell short of what they what wished for so they developed their own. You can win a month's supply of Little Freddie foods (worth £20) in our mini competition.

Check out our latest Top Tips: an ingenious product to prevent slipping in the snow and ice: Nordic Mini Grip by Icebreakers; PV Films (photography with a difference plus a discount code worth up to £250); and YouTuber Louise Pentland who gives great common sense advice to new parents.

Our Top Treat is by: Emma Britton - specialist designer of decorative glass splashbacks and the 2018 Gifted From Nature Collection for Weleda. You can win one of two designer tea towels (worth £20) and get 20% discount off Emma Britton tea towels, trays and glassware (valid until 16 December 2018).

Our Top Value product is the delightful Carddies colouring in sets that we have featured before but we love their simplicity. My granddaughter Mia has tried out the new Ballet set at home and on the go and she loves it! You can enter our mini-competition to win one of two Carddies sets (worth £18).

As well as our regular mix of features, our latest My Story follows a mum who was diagnosed with polycystic ovary disease and how this impacted on her fertility.

We have a brand new selection of TIPS Testers' Pix for you to enjoy, with some adorable photos, including a pictures of my grandchildren and a competition winner from our last newsletter. Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? We're always on the lookout for photos of babies, toddlers, families, bumps, scans, breastfeeders, baby-wearing, baby-led-weaning and grandparents. So please email us your photos! I will send a signed copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.

Last but not least we have some wonderful competitions for you to enter. Altogether our prizes are worth over £500 so email your entries to competitions@tipslimited.com and you too could be a TIPS winner!

Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

Newsletter 43 - June 2018

Back in the game - finally...

Since our last newsletter I have experienced an agonising three month episode of sciatica. Like so many people this winter, I had suffered from flu for a whole week and I was coughing so much that I herniated a disc. An x-ray diagnosed historic damage to my L5/S1 vertebrae. I literally woke up coughing and was in total agony for the first three weeks, and then little by little I got better over the following 9 weeks. I was devastated when I was told recovery could take three months, but sadly this proved to be accurate. I had to become more patient and find ways to distract myself from the constant pain, while my nerve recovered. In the early days I took painkillers regularly, even tried a TENS machine for 24 hours but once the analgesic effects wore off, the pain was almost more unbearable and my head was fuzzy all the time. So I decided to go cold turkey. I used a combination of ice packs (reduces the inflammation) and my trusty hot water bottle (stick-on heat packs are ideal too) to manage the pain. A warm bath (with magnesium flakes and essential oils) every night relaxed my muscles enough to give me some relief in bed. For many weeks I could not get comfortable anywhere, so I had to keep busy (in a very slow way!). I downloaded our featured App: DUOLINGO language app and started to learn Dutch (my daughter lives in the Netherlands). Granted I am not exactly fluent yet but it's a good start and I am keeping this up, whenever I have a few spare minutes.

I also took up knitting again, after a break of over 30 years! I found a few websites where you can order simple knitting kits (check out the adorable unicorn soft toy I made for my granddaughter). You will recognise the saying: 'baby steps...', which was certainly the case for me and my dodgy back, undoubtedly caused by years of misuse and letting my core suffer. In other words: wear and tear. 'Onwards and upwards...' is my mantra, so I am determined to get back to full fitness and hopefully prevent any future relapse.

I hope that by sharing my experiences I can help you overcome similar issues, introduce you to new ideas, and above all make you realise that you are not alone. Together we can help make your life and the lives of those around you easier...

During my convalescence I was able to help my daughter's best friend establish breastfeeding (a welcome distraction from my pain, avoiding any slide into self-pity) firstly by phone, then in person when I was able to go out and about again. In the end this very special journey to pain free breastfeeding took, almost 12 weeks, partly due to a late diagnosis of a posterior tongue-tie (which was snipped at 9 weeks). It just goes to show that even with 30+ years experience of helping new mums to breastfeed new challenges always come along. However with patience, determination and lots of cuddles (virtual and real) there is nothing that cannot be resolved. This highlights the first 12 weeks after childbirth also known as the Fourth Trimester which we will discuss in our Talking Point.

For new mums who end up struggling - this is much more common than many would imagine -postnatal illness can be a real possibility. This is why our featured charity is PANDAS Foundation. This inspiring charity aims to be: the UK’s most recognised and trusted support service for families suffering prenatal/antenatal and postnatal illnesses.

Friends who used to run The Baby Website got in touch. Like mine, their children are all grown up and my friends have recently started a new website aimed at over 50s. They asked me to do an online interview of where I am now, as a 50 something - makes me feel very old but it's also inspired me to explore new horizons. You can find out more about this exciting new website and read my interview here www.mrandmrs50plus.com

Our featured book selection by Harper Collins contains all your favourites including Bing, David Walliams, Dr Seuss and many more so get your entries in for a bumper prize worth over £60.

Our featured DVDs are from the BBC CBeebies (worth £40) including: Go Jetters: The North Pole and Other Adventures; Hey Duggee: The Train Badge and Other Stories; Sarah & Duck: Constable Quack; and Something Special: Laugh With Mr Tumble - this feature was already in our last newsletter but due to an error on my part, the DVDs were sent by the BBC directly to the winner, so I still have a set to give away!

Our featured products include a manual breast pump, Green People soothing nipple balm (win one of ten tubes) and a Jackson Reece Hamper full of goodies including their TIPS award winning wipes, the most eco-friendly baby wipes available.

Check out our latest Top Tips: including our TIPS factsheet on tongue tie, how a frozen popsicle can help with breastfeeding and why breast pads and treatments can be a life-saver.

Our Top Treat is: Cucumber Clothing - the coolest new clothing around for pregnant and new mums. The brainchild of two mums: Nancy and Eileen, who were looking for clothes to keep them cool. After a year of research, using a super clever moisture wicking, always fresh fabric, they designed Cucumber's first, cut-to-flatter-all-shapes capsule collection and the rest, as they say... We have a delightful Cucumber head band and eye mask to give away (worth £35).

Our Top Value products include the humble hot water bottle, another of my 'all-time must-have items in life' and a clever therapy wrap that can be used cold or warm.

As well as our regular mix of features, our latest My Story follows a new mum who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis before she went on to have two children. We follow her journey to breastfeed her premature daughter and the huge differences between her two pregnancies, 12 years apart. It also highlights the difficulties experienced by so many new parents. As a breastfeeding consultant, the good news is that almost every problem can be resolved, if caught quickly enough. However misleading advice (especially from health professionals) means that many new mums suffer confusion, lose self-confidence, and all too often end up giving up breastfeeding! Thankfully this story has a happy ending so we hope it can offer you some inspiration.

We have a brand new selection of TIPS Testers' Pix for you to enjoy, with some adorable photos, including a picture of three gorgeous sisters and some babywearing beauties. Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? We're always on the lookout for photos of babies, toddlers, families, bumps, scans, breastfeeders, baby-wearing, baby-led-weaning and grandparents. So please email us your photos! I will send a signed copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.

Last but not least we have some wonderful competitions for you to enter. Altogether our prizes are worth over £300 so email your entries to competitions@tipslimited.com and you too could be a TIPS winner!

Read e-newsletter 43 here....

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New look TIPS website

Welcome to the new look TIPS website set up by Sharon Trotter, Midwife and Parenting Consultant, to publish evidence-based information about breastfeeding, skincare, cord care and other midwifery-related subjects.

Visit www.tipslimited.com

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Newsletter 36 - March 2015

Remember to Like us on facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly. We're on Twitter too @TIPSLtd

Springtime news from TIPS®!

It's almost time for the clocks to go forward and the nights are definitely getting lighter: it must be springtime! This is our 36th TIPS e-newsletter, and it comes with an eclectic mix of features for you, including a brand new selection of TIPS Testers' Pix for you to enjoy. Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? We're always on the lookout for photos to feature under the following categories: baby, toddler, family, bump, scan, breastfeeder, baby-wearing, baby-led-weaning and grandparent. So please email us your photos! I will send a signed copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.
We are thrilled to announce the results of the latest one off trial of Weleda Perineum Massage Oil. Designed for use during pregnancy, this oil has unique properties. More and more mums-to-be practise perineal massage and I was keen to see whether this could really make a difference. There has been little reliable research carried out on the benefits of perineal massage, so I wanted to ask real mums-to-be how they felt about using perineal massage as a way to help them prepare for their vaginal deliveries. I also wanted to know whether the use of Weleda Perineum Massage Oil could make a difference to their emotional and physical wellbeing. We also feature the TIPS Award winning Dribblebuster bib, and we have not one but five to give away!
We feature 2 websites: www.twinsgiftcompany.co.uk with their innovative collection of beautiful and meaningful gifts especially for twins, multiples and their families, and www.biggreensmile.com who offer the widest selection of organic, natural and eco-friendly products for you and your home.
We feature three apps. The unique Flush Toilet Finder, is a very useful free app designed to help people find their closest public toilets. It works worldwide from an existing database of 100,000 public toilets but you can help update it for them on your travels. My daughter found our second app: Sleep Baby Sleep. This ingenious app provides six white noises parents can use to soothe babies to sleep. Using it is child's play and it really works! Sarah & Duck is our third app: it's the first official pre-school app featuring CBeebies' favourites (we reviewed a Sarah and Duck DVD in e-newsletter 33).
Our featured DVD is the family favourite Shaun the sheep - Flock to the floor with over 70 minutes of fun packed episodes including 5 bonus episodes of Morph.
Our featured charity is The Little Princess Trust. This children's cancer charity provides free real-hair wigs to children across the UK and Ireland who have lost their own hair through cancer, for the duration of their treatment. If you are thinking of having your long hair cut and want to donate it to this worthwhile cause then you will make a real difference for a little Princess - or Prince (boys are also helped). On the subject of great causes, our featured event is March for Mothers. This enjoyable fundraiser will take place on 29 March at Greenwich Park London. March for Mothers is a sponsored walk to raise money for mothers in the world’s poorest communities; it's an event for the whole family, mums, dads, children, aunties, uncles, and friends and is suitable for all ages!
We have reviewed two books: Breast Intentions: How women sabotage breastfeeding for themselves and others; and The happy sleeper: the science backed guide to helping your baby get a good night's sleep - newborn to school age.
Check out our Top Tips features: Money saving tips for parents of twins and multiples by the founders of The Twins Gift Company (identical twins themselves); Cotton wool options for new parents; and How do you choose a pushchair? a humorous little guide for new parents illustrated by Argentinean illustrator Agustina Guerrero.
As well as our regular mix of features, we bring you news of our latest My Story (with a Mum recounting her experience of weaning from nipple shields), our Top Treat (Freida's Pantry breast feeding food bar) and our Top Value feature (IKEA's ultra economical Antilop highchair).
We bring you an update on our original Diary of a Student Midwife, who is now writing for us as a Fully Qualified Midwife. We also introduce a brand new feature: Talking point, with a light-hearted look at the snacks women eat after they give birth. Hot buttered toast and cup of NHS tea tasted like heaven to me but why do we offer this in the UK, and what snacks do new parents get in other parts of the world? If you have an idea for another Talking point then please feel free to get in touch...
Last but not least we have some wonderful competitions for you to enter, including our main Newsletter Prize: a Weleda Gift Set containing all four maternity oils and the full range of Baby Calendula products (worth £120) plus 8 mini-competitions. Altogether prizes are worth over £300 so email your entries to competitions@tipslimited.com and you too could be a TIPS winner!
Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

Read e-newsletter 36 here....

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December 2013 - e-newsletter 32 published
Welcome to our winter issue!

Like us on facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly.

Our September newsletter was delayed due to my daughter and son-in-law’s wedding so I make no apologies for including a few wedding themed features in this issue. Ashley is our only daughter (we also have three boys) so I was able to enjoy my one and only experience as Mother-of-the-Bride! I am thrilled to report that everything came together perfectly on the day, although I will admit to experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions along the way! We only had six months to organise the wedding celebrations but it turned out to be easier than we had thought. During this time we came across a few great websites and handy tips that we can share with you, not to mention a few of our favourite pictures.

Since our last newsletter in June we have published the results of our two trials: Sterilisers4All and the trusted Bickiepegs Teething Biscuits - which achieved not one but two TIPS Awards! We have also received a delightful review for the all-natural deodorant OY! by Green people. It was sent to us by one of our young testers.

Our featured websites include a unique photography service called: Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org). The more people know about NILMDTS the more families who suffer the tragedy of losing an infant will be able to gain comfort from this very special service. The second featured website is www.motherandbabyhomes.com which launched on 14 August 2013. Mother & Baby Homes is a research based website: it uses oral history interviews to document the stories of young unmarried mothers. These powerful accounts of real life events show why so many women were forced to enter Mother & Baby Homes in England in the 1960s with heartbreaking stories of how their babies were forcibly taken from them and given up for adoption. This is also the subject of our featured DVD, Philomena, starring Dame Judy Dench and Steve Coogan.

Our featured book How to Potty Train, is an easy to use book by Judith Hough and Diane Titterton, designers of the award-winning training pads Dry Like Me. It will help to make potty training simple and even enjoyable for parents and children.

I have been busy writing many of the parenting articles for the second edition of a publication for new parents called The National Parent Guide. This will be available from local registry offices, many maternity units and parenting organisations.

In our Top Tips features, you can find out about National Family Mediation – an organisation set up to help parents with the trauma of separation or divorce. It offers a cost-effective alternative to going to court which is also far less stressful. We feature our friends' Glow Skincare 8 top tips for winter skincare. For those of you thinking about getting married we feature the gorgeous Debbie Graham Wedding Jewellery and Tiaras: a beautiful range of handmade jewellery, designed to your specific needs including the latest trend: back jewellery, as worn by me as Mother-of-the-Bride!

Check out our delightful Testers' photos including pictures of my daughter and son-in-law’s wedding last September. Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? Remember we're always on the lookout for these - and I will send a signed copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.

As well as our regular mix of featured articles (our updated TIPS Toolkits on Breastfeeding, Tongue-tie and Introducing Solids), blog (Grace under pressure), event (our family wedding!), DVD (Philomena), Top Value (ReadyBed®s by Worlds Apart) and Top Treat (Weleda Haircare range) - not forgetting our campaign feature which highlights the fantastic work carried of Independent Midwives UK. Our video clips feature the work of neonatal nurse Sonia Rochel. By watching the beautiful footage of newborns being immersed in warm water baths, we are given a unique view of a baby’s recent life in the womb. Last but not least we bring you part four of our regular feature Diary of a Student Midwife Down Under.

As a special treat for the festive season we are giving away a Tummy Tub full of goodies in our Newsletter Competition so get entering and you could win the lot! Don't forget to check out our 7 mini-competitions with a total prize value of £350! Email your entries and you too could be a winner.

Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

Read e-newsletter 32 here....

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June 2013 - e-newsletter 31 published
Welcome to our bumper summer issue!

Like us on facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly.

Our testers have been busy reviewing lots of products: washable nursing pads, two baby oils, a nipple treatment and our first large trial of sterilisers - we will publish the results next month. We're also going to be testing the classic Bickiepegs teething biscuits real soon. Meanwhile, we are delighted that the innovative Vapour Ring from Baby nose-clear® is the latest TIPS Award winner - find out more in the featured products section. We also feature the adorable MamAmor birthing, breastfeeding and babywearing dolls. They haven't been through our trial process, but if they did I'm sure they'd win a TIPS Award!

Our featured website is www.beachdragons.com. Beach Dragons offer an innovative range of UV clothing for children. This Swedish company was founded in 2012 by mother of three Jessica Dahlberg. Jessica spotted a gap in childrenswear and decided to start her own company offering stylish, premium quality beachwear with UV-protection. We are delighted to offer our readers the chance to win one of two UV clothing sets (total prize value is £150) in our e-newsletter competition.

We have three book reviews for you in this issue:
• Adventures in Potty Training is about two neighbours who decide to start potty training their children on the same day. It also deals with the very sensitive subject of soiling. The book has been reviewed by one of our parent bloggers whose daughter has also suffered from this upsetting condition.
• Birth made easy explains how self-hypnosis, visualisation, different breathing methods and the use of colours for healing and relaxation can help you get the birth you want
• in the Let’s Talk About series of toddler books, we have reviewed My New Baby and Big Beds and Bedtime for you.

In our Top Tips features, you can find out about Train with Nicola Buggy classes - to help new mums get fit with their babies. We feature the adorable Frilly Tushies: a beautiful range of pants to hide nappies that take the old fashioned idea of frilly pants and give it a modern twist (we have two gorgeous sets up for grabs) and we also introduce the innovative craze of Mummy Business Cards.

Check out our delightful Testers' photos including the very first engagement picture: my daughter and her fiancé (who proposed on top of Mount Kilimanjaro!). My Story includes poignant shots which chart the journey of Julie and her family, from diagnosis to treatment for thyroid cancer, just after the birth of her third son.

Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? Remember we're always on the lookout for these - and I will send a signed copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.

As well as our regular mix of featured article, blog (Edspire), event (Father’s Day present to win too!), DVD (Room on the Broom), Top Value and Top Treat we introduce a new campaigns feature with two campaigns: Hands Off Midirs and Movement for an Adoption Apology.

We also have part three of our feature Diary of a Student Midwife Down Under. And we have a special treat for all the readers who have been asking for an update on our original series Diary of a Student Midwife: we have exciting news, with pictures too!

Don't forget to check out our 8 mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £350! Email your entries and you too could be a winner.
Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

Read e-newsletter 31 here...

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March 2013 - e-newsletter 30 published
We are celebrating our 30th TIPS e-newsletter with new offers and top tips!

Like us on facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly.

I am thrilled to report that life has settled back to some sort of normality. Our son Jason has even returned to work after four months recovering from a fractured pelvis. This is nothing short of miraculous considering the severity of his accident! Meanwhile our Brigitte has become a granny for the second time and our lovely Michael is studying for a Masters degree which is keeping him busy alongside a full time job and TIPS website updates! We must be good at multi-tasking because, busy or not, we have still managed to compile a new selection of features and competitions which we hope you will enjoy in our first e-newsletter of 2013...

Our testers have been busy reviewing products and completing surveys. Their feedback is vital for companies developing new products and for other parents too. We are delighted to announce our first two 2013 TIPS Awards for the innovative Jackson Reece Nose Nuzzles - see our featured products section.
Our featured website is www.linkwordlanguages.com. Languages have never been my strong point so when I came across Linkword Languages on Twitter I decided to check this out and offered to review one of their courses. Linkword Languages was developed by Dr Michael Gruneberg - internationally recognised expert in learning methods. This simple but highly effective approach to learning really does work. I tried the Dutch course, and you can read my review here. We would like to thank Linkword Languages for kindly offering you the chance to win one of two Linkword Language courses (Level 1-4 disk and MP3 in French, Spanish, Italian or German) and a 30 Survival Course Disk (total prize value is £296) in our e-newsletter competition.
Biovault Family is our featured event as they celebrate ten years as a clinical tissue bank. It's almost five years since my article ‘Cord blood banking and its implications for midwifery practice: time to review the evidence’ was published in the Midirs Digest. I felt this event provided the perfect opportunity to revisit the topic of cord blood banking and answer any questions you may have. To mark 10 years as a tissue bank Biovault Family have kindly offered TIPS readers the chance to save £150 off the cost of cord blood banking. If you would like to take advantage of this offer all you have to do is quote TIPS10 when you apply for Biovault services online and the discount will be applied.
Our Top Tips features include the Eugin Clinic Men’s guide to fertility booklet, with information about of their new consultation clinic in London. We also introduce the innovative and new way of eco-friendly shopping at Unpackaged, and feature the Metropolitan Police Little Book of BIG Scams.

Like the Little book of BIG Scams, the books we reviewed both have the word little in their title: 100 Little Words on Parenthood by Charlie Plunkett, is a collection of anecdotes, poems, words of wisdom and humour on all aspects of parenting (including two contributed sections on breastfeeding and baby skincare by me!) and One Little Baby is an adorable first book for babies.

Check out our delightful Testers' photos including a wonderful selection of pictures that celebrate the home birth of baby number three for one of our loyal Parent Testers. We also have a very special breastfeeding clip showing a perfect latch. Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? Remember we're always on the lookout for these - and I will send a signed copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.

As well as our regular mix of featured apps, charity, article, Top Value and Top Treat our latest My Story follows a mum’s journey as she tries to get a diagnosis of tongue-tie, treated by snipping. We also have part two of our newest feature Diary of a Student Midwife Down Under.

Don't forget to check out our 10 mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £500! Email your entries and you too could be a winner.
Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

Read e-newsletter 30 here...

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December 2012 - e-newsletter 29 published
Join us as we celebrate an exciting year for TIPS and look forward to 2013!

Like us on facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly.

I cannot believe we have almost reached the end of another year – where did 2012 go? My life has been a rollercoaster ride over the past few weeks so I am just happy that we have been able to complete this e-newsletter on time!
After a nasty fall from his mountain bike on 22 September, sustaining a triple pelvic fracture, my son has understandably been taking up most of my time! I would like to thank everyone who has been following our journey on facebook for all the messages of support and encouragement. I am thrilled to be able to report that Jason is recovering well and we are hoping that he will be walking unaided again by Christmas! Vukovi, his band, have a date in their diary that Jason (he is the bassist) does not wish to miss. So obviously this was the natural choice for our featured event. Vukovi will be the headline act at the world famous King Tuts on 12 December. Jason may not play the whole gig and he may be sitting down but it will be a great achievement just to be there and I for one will be cheering him on! Join us if you can...

In between playing nurse, physio and cake maker (vital for a quicker recovery!), I have still managed to find time to complete our latest trial of the SnoozeShade® range of products which you can check out in our featured products section.

Once again we have a comprehensive selection of features for you in this e-newsletter. We have reviewed two websites. Aupairads (www.aupairads.com) was set up by two Swedish au pairs and provides a network where parents and au pairs can find their perfect match. It is a unique solution to meet the demand for Scandinavian au pairs from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. Aupairads are offering our readers the chance to win one of two ads worth €39 each.

The second website is www.tractorted.co.uk. Tractor Ted in Tractorland teaches children from two to six years old about farming and countryside activities such as where good food comes from, the seasons and how to care for animals through DVDs, books, toys and live events. Check out our newsletter competition to win one of ten Tractor Ted DVD and Book sets.

Check out our delightful Testers' photos including some funky pictures of twin boys from Australia and another amazing 4D scan. Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? Remember we're always on the lookout for these - and I will send a dedicated copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.

Our Top Tips include an innovative website for parents of primary school children. Keeping Up With My Kids is the brainchild of Claire Coles, mother of two and full time primary teacher of 9-10 year olds, who came up with the idea while on maternity leave. To help you out as the days get longer we feature Ten Rainy Day Activities courtesy of Galt Toys. We also feature the innovative product range from ICE Gems who have launched a new collection of medical ID wristbands and bracelets designed to help save a child’s life in an emergency.

Our final Top Tip comes from Turn2us, an online resource that aims to help people access the financial support available to them – through welfare benefits, grants and other help. Check out a clever teaching product from Birth International. This fun and engaging hand puppet will help professionals demonstrate the latching of the baby for successful breastfeeding.

If you have ever dreaded mealtimes (I remember it well!) with toddlers then we might be able to help you with our recommended book: French Kids Eat Everything by Karen Le Billon. This follows the story of a family who moved to France, banned snacking and discovered ten simple rules for raising happy, healthy eaters.

As well as our regular mix of featured app, charity, article, Top Value and Top Treat our latest My Story follows Babywearing mum Victoria who not only has four children but also runs the School of Babywearing.

Last but not least, we know you will enjoy reading the first of a brand new feature: Diary of a Student Midwife Down Under. Part one introduces us to our new student midwife as she comes to the end of her second year of a four year combined nursing/midwifery degree in Australia. We hope to follow her ups and downs over the next two years as we compare the differences (if any) between UK and Australian midwifery courses.

Don't forget to check out our 10 mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £500! Email your entries and you too could be a winner.
Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

Read e-newsletter 29 here...

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September 2012 – e-newsletter 28 published
Another first for TIPS – our online shop is ready to go live!

Like us on facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly.
After months of planning, we are delighted to announce that you will be able to buy products on our website. TIPS Testers and Members often ask where they can find TIPS Award-winning products, that's why we've decided to start selling them right here, on the TIPS website. We are starting with a small selection of products: our signature latex ducky (you may have been following his travels on facebook); a personalised TIPS baby towel; the TIPS double Award-winning Jackson Reece baby wipes (Best of the best & Best eco-friendly) and the Tummy Tub (TIPS Best of the best baby bath). We will add products to the online shop to meet demand. Please email us at info@tipslimited.com if you can't get a TIPS Award-winning product and we will do our best to find it for you.

TIPS provides independent advice about all aspects of parenting. This involves many hours of research by the TIPS Team. With no advertising revenue our only source of income are the TIPS trials. By using our online shop you will help TIPS continue to provide the very best impartial reviews of quality products for parents and babies. Have a look at our new TIPS Shop here...

Once again we have a comprehensive selection of features for you in this e-newsletter. We have reviewed two websites. Casabu (www.casabu.com) is a free-to-join private sale website. It features up to 15 daily sales offering discounts of up to 90% off retail prices on designer baby brands. Casabu are offering our readers the chance to win one of two £50 vouchers to spend online.

The second website is www.drylikeme.com. If you are about to start potty training your toddler then this could be a lifesaver. DryLikeMe make handy little potty training pads that can be used in little ones' pants. With Dry Like Me pads little ones learn how their body works when they have little accidents. This can help children become potty trained more quickly. Check out our mini-competition to win one of five Potty Training Packs.

Check out our delightful Testers' photos including my godson’s new baby daughter (makes me feel very old!). Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? Remember we're always on the lookout for these - and I will send a dedicated copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.

Our featured events are the innovative Jack & Jill Scottish Markets (where you can buy and sell baby products) and the first national safety day ‘The difference a minute can take’. Organised by home safety brand Lindam this campaign aims to raise awareness of childhood accidents and to help busy parents make their homes safer. On the subject of accidents, burns and scalds can have devastating long term consequences if you do not provide immediate first-aid. One of our Top Tips is a step-by-step guide to treating burns while you wait for medical help. We also feature a new campaign by The Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust to make cycle helmets compulsory and to make roads safer for cyclists. Our final Top Tip features Osram’s latest LED light gadgets which can be charged with a laptop or PC. These highly energy efficient gadgets have many uses at home and away. We have two of these gadgets to give away.

We have news of two excellent DVD launches. Small Wonders has been produced by Best Beginnings (a highly respected charity who provides invaluable advice and support to parents expecting or coping with the shock of premature birth). The second is the global launch of the eagerly awaited documentary Freedom For Birth – The Mothers Revolution on 20 September 2012 1000 screenings are planned all over the world on that day. This campaign aims to help to bring about change so that women all over the world are allowed to decide how they want to give birth.

Three TIPS Parent Testers have reviewed the delightful book Beautiful Buggy Walks in England by Richard Happer. Not only does it contain stunning photos of the featured walks but it also leads the reader on a journey of discovery. We can guarantee it will make you want to dust off your all-terrain buggy and get your walking boots out of the cupboard!

Our featured products include an ingenious weaning tray called the Tiny Diner (our Top Value) and news of our recently tested baby and toddler slings. You will also have the chance to win some of these winning designs in our newsletter competition.

As well as our regular mix of featured apps (including a free download worth £4.99), charities, article, CD and Top Treat our latest My Story follows Aussie mum Nichola’s breastfeeding experiences as a mother of multiples and premature babies, and tri-andem feeding.

Last but not least, we know you will enjoy reading the final part (11) of our Diary of a Student Midwife: has our highly successful student managed to secure her dream job?

Don't forget to check out our 10 mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £600! Email your entries and you too could be a winner.
Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

You can read e-newsletter 28 here...

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July 2012
Momentous milestone for TIPS Award Scheme...

We are delighted to announce that our 1000th Parent Tester recently registered online to take part in future TIPS trials.

This coincides with the publication of our long-awaited trial results for our first standard trial of Slings for Babies and Toddlers 2012.

I have been planning to test slings since the launch of the TIPS Award Scheme in 2007.

• 9 products were carefully selected for this trial. 62 test samples, supplied by 6 manufacturers were sent to 62 Parent Tester (the age range of baby and toddler testers was birth to 55 months old).
• Testers completed and returned 57 test questionnaires; this is a return rate of 92 per cent.

As a passionate supporter of breastfeeding and attachment parenting, I know how important it is to maintain skin-to-skin contact. This helps to stimulate hormone production and boost milk supply. The best way to keep your baby close is to carry them in a sling. This is often called babywearing.

You can read all about how we set up this trial plus the full reviews for each of the nine winning products here...

Hope you enjoy reading the results

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March 2012 – Spring e-newsletter published
Welcome to our Spring issue!

Like us on facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd Facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly.

Once again we have a packed issue including the long-awaited delivery of our TIPS® baby checklist that you, our Parent Testers helped us to develop. We talk a lot about safety in this issue, with articles about the safest car seats, the latest Lindam safety gate (we have two up for grabs in a mini-competition) and a video clip showing a step-by-step guide to using the epi-pen for severe allergic reactions.

Our spring collection of testers photos is sure to delight and entertain you. Maybe you have photos of your own you would like to share with us? Remember we're always on the lookout for these - and I will send a dedicated copy of my book (Breastfeeding: the essential guide) to the sender of each photo we publish.

Our featured brand is the world famous Bickiepegs. Established 87 years ago this beloved baby brand, not only manufactures the classic Bickiepegs teething biscuit but is also famed for the innovative Doidy cup (a TIPS Award-winning product since 2007). We would like to congratulate everyone at Bickiepegs in Aberdeen for continuing to provide first class baby products and excellent customer care.

We also feature the Bellabee website (www.bellabee.co.uk ) which offers the perfect gift solution for children of all ages. Each hand drawn painting is made to order, and guaranteed to brighten up any child’s bedroom or playroom. We even have a personalised Bellabee painting to give away!

We have reviewed Hold it Mama, a book by leading Australian women’s health physiotherapist Mary O’Dwyer. New for this issue, we have also reviewed two apps: one for the childhood classic book: Dear Zoo and the other developed by Explore Learning to help children learn their times tables.

We feature the most gorgeous selection of hand-knitted items by new company Picaloulou. We even have four baby beanies (worth £80) to win in our e-newsletter competition.

As well as our regular mix of featured event, articles, and Top Tips, our latest My Story follows a new mother as she struggles to establish breastfeeding with her son who has tongue-tie. Last but not least, we know you will enjoy reading part 9 of our Diary of a Student Midwife.

Don't forget to check out our 10 mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £400! Get your entries in to Brigitte and you too could be a winner.
Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

You can read Spring e-newsletter here...

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December 2011
Exciting milestone for TIPS...

We are thrilled to have reached another magic milestone – our 800th Parent Tester has recently joined up and is already testing their first products. Congratulations to Sharon – a special parcel of goodies is on its way to you.

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September 2010 - 700th TIPS Tester...

We are thrilled to announce that we recently welcomed our 700th Parent Tester - another magical milestone at TIPS Ltd.

When she signed up to take part in forthcoming trials, Francoise (pictured left) had no idea she was about to become a TIPS VIP. A parcel of goodies was soon on its way to surprise and delight Mummy and Daddy-to-be!

Francoise is now busy testing carefully selected products for TIPS. Results of this trial will be published later in the year – for more details watch this space....
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1 September 2010 - TIPS e-newsletter 20 now online

You can read the newsletter and enter its 8 competitions here....

March 2010 - new look TIPS website…

We are FINALLY ready to launch our brand new design website. Everything you have come to expect from our TIPS online community is here but with a fresher look for the new decade.

To coincide with the website launch we are delighted to publish our TIPS e-newsletter 18 which is packed full of features including 8 new competitions for you to enter.

The results of our trial of belly balms have just been published. This is the first time we have tested baby balms and we are sure you will enjoy trying the winning products. You can read all about the TIPS-tested belly balms here.
April 2009 – TIPS Award Scheme introduce one-off trials… [back to top]

April 2009 – TIPS Awards Scheme introduce one-off trials…

As well as our standard trials covering baby baths, baby wipes, baby skincare, breast pads/treatments, nursing bras/tops, cuddle towels, decongestants and TENS machines we have recently added one-off trials.
When considering products for testing, I aim to source what I believe to be the best products on the market. Where such a product is quite unique, I will set up a one‐off trial ‐ we have done this for the Kamillosan thermometer soother, Shampoo Rinse Cup, Miracle™ Scarves, Miracle™ Bands and the Dribblebuster® bib. More trials are planned for more information, visit the TIPS Awards section of our sister site. [back to top]

September 2008 – TIPS now has a brand new forum!

I don’t know where the time goes! Already it’s September and so much has happened in the past few months. For all the news and latest info on recent TIPS trials you will have to check out the newsletters but the big news has got to be our brand new TIPS forum.
This new facility went live on August 22nd and it is becoming the place to catch up with your friends and chat about all your parenting dilemmas (of which there are many!). Come and join us online where you can access the latest news, newsletters and post topics on anything you wish to speak about (within reason – please check out our forum rules first).
After a few days news of our website had travelled and we suddenly had an influx of 140 new testers in two days! Registration had to be closed while we caught up but we are back on track now so pop across and see what you think. Just a few more registrations and we will be hitting the magic 500th!
Stats are also up 25% and they are staying there which is great news for everyone! [back to top]

May 2008 – TIPS Awards are now one year old and the TIPS website continues to go from strength to strength.

TIPS Ltd has been trading for almost four years. Following the re-launch of the website in March 2007 traffic has more than tripled! We are now regularly attracting over 4500 visitors a month (200,000 hits) from all over the globe. The new features, including a log-in facility, members’ area, test results, newsletter and online shop, are especially designed to attract even more visitors.
Since the launch of the TIPS Awards Scheme, this unique independent testing programme has really caught the imagination of the public. Our ever increasing pool of parent testers (now over 500) have helped to complete trials of baby wipes, baby skincare products, baby baths, breast pads & treatments, cuddle towels, open cups, nursing bras, decongestants and TENS machines. We have more trials out as we speak and many more planned for the future. To see the latest results complete with detailed information on how each trial was carried out go to the TIPS award section of the website.

To find out more on what we are up to or to enter our many exciting competitions with wonderful prizes please check out our e-newsletters or consider joining up as a member or parent tester. We have plans to set up a TIPS forum so watch this space…[back to top]

All about Sharon's work on skincare and cord care 

June 2013

Why no baby skincare product should be advertised or promoted as ‘suitable for newborn skin’

Full reference: Trotter S (2013). Why no baby skincare product should be advertised or promoted as ‘suitable for newborn skin’. Midirs Midwifery Digest 23(2): p217-221

Abstract:
Recently published articles question the value of a water-only approach to neonatal skincare, but the evidence they provide is unconvincing.
This paper aims to update those who may be new to this subject, and reinforce the importance of the ‘less is more’ approach to neonatal skincare. It will explain why neonatal skin is delicate and more at risk of damage. It will also highlight the insidious and inappropriate marketing of baby skincare products, focusing on the use of ‘suitable for newborns’ terminology, in this hugely competitive (and lucrative) industry. Credible and evidence-based guidelines for neonatal skincare already provide professionals with the tools they need to drastically reduce the steady rise in infant skin conditions which appears to be co-incident with the introduction of manufactured baby products over 50 years ago (Cork 2002). However, with UK rates of childhood eczema among the highest in the world we need to go even further. We must insist that manufacturers of baby skincare products and the baby press liaise with non-aligned healthcare professionals to ensure that parents get accurate and consistent advice based on the national skincare guidelines.

Keywords: neonatal, eczema, baby skincare products, water-only, skin barrier, vernix caseosa, oleic acid.

Disclosure: the author has no conflict of interest to declare
Correspondence: TIPS Ltd P O Box 8583, 12 Church Street, Troon, Scotland, KA10 7WT; email: sharontrotter@tipslimited.com

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2013:
Babycare – back to basics™ leaflet version 9 published

This leaflet won the first Nursing in Practice Dermatology Award in 2008 and was also shortlisted for two General Practice Awards in 2011. Version 9 is hot off the press and will be distributed around the UK at various professional and parenting events. Health professionals and maternity units can buy hard copies – email info
@tipslimited.com for more information. As well as all the hints and tips you need about baby skincare, skin-to-skin contact and feeding but, this leaflet now includes the latest and safest advice on reducing the risk of cot death. Version 9 includes a handy QR code to use it with your smart phones. Email info @tipslimited.com if you would like a free copy.

December 2011

Read Sharon’s article: The festive dilemma for parents regarding baby skincare products and a Views on the News feature: A response to advertising used in baby skincare adverts.
Both are published in the December issue of Essentially Midirs Journal
Full references:
Trotter S (2011). Skincare revisited - a festive dilemma for parents. Essentially MIDIRS, December 2011, 2(11):47-49.
Trotter S (2011). Views on the news: A response to advertising used in baby skincare adverts. Essentially Midirs, December 2011, 2(11): 25

You can read the full article here...

STOP PRESS
Following discussions with Sharon, Bounty have stated that once the current contract for advertisements has expired, all adverts for baby wipes will have references to newborns changed or removed.

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July 2011
Babycare – back to basics™ leaflet version 8 published

This award winning leaflet is distributed around the UK at various professional and parenting events. Supplies can also be purchased by health professionals or maternity units. Version 8 is hot off the press – please contact Sharon for details.

Not only does this leaflet give you all the hints and tips you need on baby skincare issues, skin-to-skin contact and feeding but it now covers the latest and safest advice on reducing the risk of cot death.

If you would like a free copy of this leaflet please email sharontrotter@tipslimited.com

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May 2009
Baby care: back to basics™ leaflet Version 6 (updated in line with the latest research) is being printed as we speak.

Sponsored by TIPS award winning company Jackson Reece baby wipes (www.jacksonreece.com) this award winning leaflet is distributed around the UK at various professional and parenting events. Supplies can also be purchased by health professionals or maternity units – email Sharon for details.
Not only does this leaflet give you all the hints and tips you need on baby skincare issues, skin-to-skin contact and feeding but it now covers the latest and safest advice on reducing the risk of cot death.

If you would like a free copy of this leaflet please email Sharon.

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19 November 2008
Sharon Trotter wins the Dermatology award in Nursing in Practice Inaugural Award Ceremony!

We are thrilled to announce that Sharon and her Babycare- back to basics™ leaflet has just won the very first Nursing in Practice Dermatology Award for her work on baby skincare issues. This came as a wonderful surprise as she attended the Awards lunch at the Birmingham NEC.

The Nursing in Practice Awards 2008 rewards best practice in a variety of clinical areas, and are designed to recognise excellence and innovation in the primary care setting.

Categories included: Cardiac care, Childhood immunisation, Dermatology, Diabetes, Mental health including dual diagnosis, Obesity, Respiratory care, Sexual health, Travel health and Team of the year.

Thank you to the team of judges at NIP and to Espere Healthcare Ltd sponsors of the Dermatology Award.

This is not just a wonderful honour for Sharon and her tireless work in the field of neonatal skincare but adds weight and credibility to the growing evidence that a simpler regime for all babies and children really does make a difference. A special edition of the Babycare- back to basics™ leaflet is planned to promote this recent win.
If you would like a free copy please contact us.

You can find out more about the NIP Awards and the other winners on the day here or on the TIPS website.

If you would like to use this in a news feature and need more details please contact us by email or call 01292 312 410 or 07921 674 987. [back to top]

July 2008
Examination of the newborn and neonatal health – A multidimensional approach

Lorna Davies and Sharon McDonald
Published by Elsevier - published 25 June 2008
Price: GBP 22.99 EUR 33.99
ISBN: 978-0-443-10339-1

I am thrilled to announce that my first chapter in an academic textbook has just been published. Chapter 14 is entitled Neonatal skincare and cordcare: implications for practice. It documents the latest research, and highlights the most important findings, from my six published article on this subject. New guidelines for practice are explained, inline with the latest recommendations from NICE, and the chapter concludes with Jacqueline’s story charting her personal experience of how this new skincare regime had a positive effect on her children’s lives – Jacqueline is one of our very own TIPS testers.

Examination of the Newborn contains the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on how to perform a complete assessment of the newborn infant, with specialists from different disciplines providing in-depth information on examination of the body systems. The book also includes discussion of the psychosocial and emotional elements resulting from any unexpected findings. [back to top]

October 2007 - Nursing in Practice Event – London
I was honoured to be presenting my work on baby skincare to other primary healthcare professionals at the London NIP Event. You will be able to download this presentation by checking out the NIP website.
In addition to their magazine and website Nursing in Practice delivers a series of Events. These are the largest series of free conferences and exhibitions dedicated to primary care nurses across the UK. These in depth educational conferences address all the current clinical and policy issues affecting the primary care community. Nursing in Practice Events have been running since 2003 and all our previous events have received approval from the RCN Accreditation Unit. [back to top]

May 2007 - Version 4 of the Baby care: back to basics™ leaflet has just been printed. It gives up to date advice on safe skincare, and includes information from the articles I have published in professional journals. Copies of the leaflet will be handed out to parents and professionals at conferences and baby shows around the UK. You can also order copies of the leaflet by following this link.
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